Dogs fall to Center 1-0
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

The Jasper Bulldog soccer team played their best game of the season last week against Center despite losing 1-0.

"We kept the ball on their end of the field about 70 percent of the time and played great defense," Coach Chris Coats said. "The standouts on defense were Kaleb Burrows and Affan Zafar. Affan was also a key part of why we were able to keep the ball on their end of the field on offense. Anthony Martinez also played a great game at goal keeper. He blocked the shot that went in for the game's only score but it rolled back into the net after it hit his chest."

Coats said his team had several scoring opportunities that failed to produce a goal but the team has definitely improved since their last meeting with Center, a lop-sided 6- 0 loss.

Friday night, the team played Henderson on the road in a game delayed by lightning.

"Once we got under way, we played a good game," Coats said. "Although the field conditions were poor, we held the third place district team on goal at the half. Our defense played well. They were just a little faster than we were."

Jasper eventually lost 4-0.

Coats said that Burrows and Liam Flagherty played good games at the sweeper position, and standouts on offense were David Cleveland-Hadley and Zach Riggins who almost scored on a header that bounced off the goal post and came from Ernesto Medrano's crossing shot.

"What I am really happy about, is that we are starting to play an entire game," Coats said. "We are also improving our game every week."